Bone screw with 3d printed thread locking feature

ABSTRACT

A bone screw assembly includes a first body, a second body, and a thread locking assembly that may couple the first body with the second body. The first body includes a proximal portion, a distal portion that may pierce bone in response to rotation of the first body about the longitudinal axis, and a first threaded section that may engage bone. The second body defines a through hole that may receive the distal portion of the first body. The thread locking assembly includes a first thread locking section associated with the proximal portion of the first body, and a second thread locking section associated with the through hole of the second body. Either the first threaded locking section or the second threaded locking section deforms the other in response to rotation of the first threaded locking section relative to the second threaded locking section.

BACKGROUND

Medical screws or orthopedic (bone) screws may be used in orthopedicprocedures to help immobilize bone segments of a fractured bone topromote healing. In some instances, bone screws are used in conjunctionwith a bone plate to help further immobilize segments of fracturedbones. In some other instances, bone screws may be used to attach aprosthesis to a bone, such as an acetabular component of a hip jointreplacement prosthesis or a tibia component of a total knee replacementprosthesis. Once the bone screw is deployed, it may be desirable toensure that the bone screw remains suitably secured to its surroundings.Therefore, a bone screw may be configured to engage and secure to both abone, and, if present, a bone plate or other prosthesis component. Bonescrews may have multiple threaded regions configured to engage differentelements. In such instances, one threaded region may be configured toengage and couple with a bone, while a second threaded region may beconfigured to engage and couple with a complementary threading locatedon the bone plate or other prosthesis.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an additive printing process used tomake three-dimensional solid objects from a digital model. 3D printingmay be used in various processes including but not limited to rapidproduct prototyping, product manufacturing, mold generation, and moldmaster generation. 3D printing techniques are considered additiveprocesses because they involve the application of successive layers ofmaterial. This is unlike traditional machining processes, which oftenrely upon the removal of material to create the final object. Variousmaterials may be used in 3D printing. For example, materials such aspolymide, alumide, titanium, or thermoplastic polyurethane may be usedin 3D printing. Some 3D printing techniques utilize powder as the basicmaterial, then transform the powder into a desired shape or structuresto form a product. For example, laser sintering involves applyingsuccessive thin layers of powder, one layer on top of the next. Betweenapplication of each layer of powder, a laser travels over desiredportions of the current powder layer and sinters targeted powdertogether, eventually forming the desired shape or structure. Oncecomplete, the final product may be removed from the unsintered powder.

While various kinds of bone screws and bone plates have been made andused, it is believed that no one prior to the inventor(s) has made orused the invention described in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims which particularly pointout and distinctly claim this technology, it is believed this technologywill be better understood from the following description of certainexamples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in whichlike reference numerals identify the same elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an elevational side view of a bone plate attached a bonevia bone screws to immobilize fracture segments of the bone, where thebone is transparent for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary hip replacementprosthesis;

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded perspective view of the exemplary hipreplacement prosthesis of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 depicts a partially exploded perspective view of the hipreplacement prosthesis of FIG. 2 partially attached to a patient;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary bone screw;

FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional front view of the bone screw of FIG. 5attached to the bone plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7A depicts a cross-sectional front view of an alternative bonescrew aligned for coupling with an alternative bone plate attached tothe bone of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7B depicts a cross-sectional front view of the bone screw and boneplate of FIG. 7A, where the bone screw is initially inserted into thebone plate to make initial contact with the bone of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7C depicts a cross-sectional front view of the bone screw and boneplate of FIG. 7A, where the bone screw is further inserted into the boneplate and the bone of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7D depicts a cross-sectional front view of the bone screw and boneplate of FIG. 7A, where the bone screw is coupled with the bone plateand fully inserted into the bone of FIG. 1.

The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it iscontemplated that various embodiments of the technology may be carriedout in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depictedin the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming apart of the specification illustrate several aspects of the presenttechnology, and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the technology; it being understood, however, that thistechnology is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of certain examples of the technology shouldnot be used to limit its scope. Other examples, features, aspects,embodiments, and advantages of the technology will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following description, which is by wayof illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out thetechnology. As will be realized, the technology described herein iscapable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departingfrom the technology. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions shouldbe regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

I. EXEMPLARY BONE SCREWS AND BONE PLATES

As mentioned above, bone screws may be used to immobilize fragments offractured bones, attach various prostheses to corresponding anatomy, orfor any other suitable purposes as would be apparent to one havingordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. In someinstances, bone screws may be used by themselves to immobilize and helpheal fractures. However, in other instances bone screws may be used inconjunction with a bone plate or other structure to provide additionalstructural support.

FIG. 1 shows the use of a plurality of bone screws (30) in conjunctionwith a bone plate (20) to immobilize fractures (12) on a bone (10). Boneplate (20) is dimensioned to abut against or extend along the profile ofthe exterior surface of bone (10). Bone plate (20) may be used inconjunction with bone screws (30) to provide structural support for bone(10). It should be understood that different anatomical locations demanddifferent shapes and sizes of bone plates (20). Therefore, bone plate(20) may have any suitable shape, size, and/or profile configured toengage a corresponding anatomical structure of bone (10) as would beapparent to one having ordinary skill in the art in view of theteachings herein. For example, bone plate (20) may be dimensioned foruse on the jaw, on the pelvis, on the forearm, and/or around joints of apatient. Similarly, bone screw (30) may have any suitable shape, size,and/or profile as needed.

As best seen in FIG. 5, an exemplary bone screw (30) includesself-tapping flutes (32) at the distal end, a first threaded portion(34), and head (35). Self-tapping flutes (32) are dimensioned andconfigured to penetrate and drive into bone (10) in response to rotationof bone screw (30) about its own longitudinal axis. First threadedportion (34) is configured to further engage bone (10) as bone screw(30) is driven about its own longitudinal axis. In particular, firstthreaded portion (34) is configured to engage bone (10) in order to helpfix screw (30) relative to bone (10) when bone screw (30) is suitablydeployed.

Head (35) includes a locking threaded portion (38). As best seen in FIG.6, when bone screw (30) is suitably coupled with bone (10) and boneplate (20), locking threaded portion (38) may suitably mesh withinternal female threading (24) of bone plate (20) in order to helpfixate bone screw (30) relative to bone plate (20). Because bone screw(30) includes first threaded portion (34) configured to help fixate bonescrew (30) relative to bone (10), and because bone screw (30) includeslocking threaded portion (38) configured to help bone screw (30) fixateto bone plate (20), bone screw (30) may be used to help fixate boneplate (20) relative to bone (10). The threaded coupling between bonescrew (30) and bone plate (20) allows bone screw (30) to couple withbone plate (20) at a suitable torque value. In other words, bone screw(30) may couple or decouple with bone plate (20) when bone screw (30)and/or bone plate (20) are torqued about the longitudinal axis ofthreading at the suitable torque value.

Head (35) also defines a drive recess (36). Drive recess (36) isdimensioned to couple with a driving tool (e.g., screwdriver, drivingkey, etc.) that may rotate bone screw (30) about its own longitudinalaxis. Therefore, a driving tool may engage bone screw (30) at driverecess (36) in order to suitably torque bone screw (30) about its ownlongitudinal axis in accordance with the description herein. Driverecess (36) may allow the suitable torque required to couple bone screw(30) with bone plate (20) via threading (24, 38) to be increased, whichmay lead to a greater coupling strength.

As mentioned above, bone plate (20) may be affixed to bone (10) by bonescrews (30). In particular, various bone screws (30) may be insertedinto corresponding through holes (22) defined by bone plate (20). Bonescrews (30) may then be driven into engagement with bone (10) until ahead (35) of bone screws (30) meshes with bone plate (20) in accordancewith the description herein. As best seen in FIG. 1, bone screws (30)may also extend through fractures (12) of bone (10) to also helpimmobilize bone (10). Therefore, bone plate (20) and bone screws (30)may help stabilize fractures (12) of bone (10) relative to each other,while bone plate (20) may help provide additional structural support.

As mentioned above, bone screws (30) may also be used to attach certainprosthesis implants to bones. FIGS. 2-3 show an exemplary hipreplacement prosthesis (40) including an acetabular component (42)defining threaded through holes (44), a plastic liner (46), and afemoral component (48). As shown in FIG. 4, acetabular component (42) ofhip replacement prosthesis (40) may be affixed to pelvis (14) by bonescrews (30). In particular, bone screws (30) may be inserted throughthreaded through holes (44) defined by the internal cavity of acetabularcomponent (42). Bone screws (30) may then be driven into engagement withpelvis (14) until head (35) of bone screws (30) engage threaded throughholes (44). Threaded through holes (44) may have internal femalethreading substantially similar to threading (24) described above forbone plate (20). Therefore, bone screw (30) may affix to pelvis (14) viafirst threaded portion (34), while bone screw (30) may also affix toacetabular component (42) via locking threaded portion (38) and threadedthrough holes (44). In other words, bone screws (30) may help fixateacetabular component (42) to pelvis (14).

When suitably implanted, femoral component (48) may move relative toacetabular component (42). Additionally, when suitably implanted,femoral component (48) and acetabular component (42) may transfer loadsbetween each other. Therefore, bone screws (30) may help keep acetabularcomponent (42) fixed relative to pelvis (14) in order to accommodatemovement, as well as weight transfers between femoral component (48) andacetabular component (42).

It should be understood that acetabular component (42) is just oneexemplary prosthesis that bone screw (30) may be used in conjunctionwith. Bone screw (30) may be used with any other suitable exemplaryprostheses having threaded through holes as would be apparent to onehaving ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Forinstance, bone screws (30) may be utilized to fixate a tibia prosthesiscomponent during a total knee replacement.

II. ALTERNATIVE EXEMPLARY BONE SCREWS AND BONE PLATES

The term “bone plate” should be interpreted as any structural body thatmay couple with any suitable anatomy via a bone screw (30). Therefore,as used herein, the term “bone plate” may include various prosthesiscomponents configured to couple with a bone, such as a tibia prosthesiscomponent of a total knee replacement, an acetabular component of a hipreplacement, etc.

As mentioned above, while first threaded portion (34) may engage bone(10) to fixate bone screw (30) with bone (10), locking threaded portion(38) may suitably mesh with internal female threading (24) of bone plate(20) in order to help fixate bone screw (30) relative to bone plate(20). As also mentioned above, bone screw (30) may couple or decouplewith threaded through holes (22) when bone screws (30) are torquedrelative to bone plate (20) about the longitudinal axis of threading atthe suitable torque value.

Once bone screw (30) is suitably coupled with bone plate (20) such thatbone plate (20) is affixed relative to bone (10), it may be desirable tokeep bone screws (30) suitably secured to bone plate (20). However, insome instances, the engagement between internal female threading (24) ofbone plate (20) and locking threaded portion (38) of bone screw (30) mayeventually loosen. If engagement between internal female threading (24)and locking threaded portion (38) loosens, bone plate (20) may no longerbe fixated relative to bone (10). It may therefore be desirable toprevent bone screws (30) from disassociating with bone plate (20) oncesuitably coupled with each other.

FIGS. 7A-7D show an alternative bone screw (130) and an alternative boneplate (60) that may be configured to prevent bone screw (130) fromdisassociating with bone plate (60) once suitably coupled with eachother. Bone screw (130) and bone plate (60) may be used in replacementof bone screw (30) and bone plate (20) described above. Therefore, bonescrew (130) may be substantially similar to bone screw (30) describedabove, while bone plate (60) may be substantially similar to bone plate(20) described above, except for the differences described below.

Bone screw (130) includes self-tapping flutes (132) at the distal end, afirst threaded portion (134), and head (135), which are substantiallysimilar to self-tapping flutes (32), first threaded portion (34), andhead (35) described above, with differences elaborated below. Therefore,self-tapping flutes (132) are dimensioned and configured to penetrateand drive into bone (10) in response to rotation of bone screw (130)about its own longitudinal axis (LA). First threaded portion (134) isconfigured to further engage bone (10) as bone screw (130) is drivenabout its own longitudinal axis. In particular, first threaded portion(134) is configured to engage bone (10) in order to help fix bone screw(130) relative to bone (10) when bone screw (130) is suitably deployed.

Head (135) is substantially similar to head (35) described above, withdifferences elaborated below. Therefore, head (135) defines a driverecess (not shown) that is substantially similar to drive recess (36)describe above. Head (135) also includes a deformable locking threadedportion (138), which may be similar to locking threaded portion (38),with differences elaborated below. Deformable locking threaded portion(138) is operable to conform to an irregular female threading (64) ofbone plate (60) when a suitable torque is applied to bone screw (130)about the longitudinal axis (LA). As deformable locking threaded portion(138) of bone screw (130) deforms, this may help the meshed threading(138, 64) between bone screw (130) and bone plate (60) “bind up,” lock,jam, or seize up, thereby requiring a large amount of torque to unscrewdeformable locking threaded portion (138) out of irregular femalethreading (64) of bone plate (60). Seizing, locking, jamming, or bindingup of threading (138, 64) may ultimately prevent bone screw (130) fromdisassociating with bone plate (60) once the two are suitably coupledwith each other in accordance with the description herein. Deformablelocking threaded portion (138) may be made out of any suitable materialas would be apparent to one having ordinary skill in that art in view ofthe teachings herein. Deformation of locking threaded portion (138) maybe elastic or plastic.

Bone plate (60) includes at least one threaded through hole (62), eachdefining an irregular female threading (64). Unlike conventional boneplates (20) that have female threading (24) formed from a conventionaltapping machine that removes material to form threading (24) in a purehelical configuration, bone plate (60) may be formed from an additiveprocess like 3D printing. Therefore, female threading (64) may be formedby adding layers of material on top of each other incrementally, ratherthan using a tapping machine that needs to be removed from through hole(62) after forming female threading (64). It should be understood thatthe female threading (64) described herein may not be subject toformation via conventional tapping processes, due to the presence ofintentional structural irregularities in female threading (64) asdescribed herein.

Irregular female threading (64) has a first female threading portion(70), which connects distally into a second female threading portion(74), which also connects distally into a third female threading portion(80). As will be elaborated below, while female threading portions (70,74, 80) are continuously connected with each other, female threadingportions (70, 74, 80) are not uniform in nature. In other words, if amale threaded member were dimensioned to rotate through first femalethreading portion (70) in a substantially unimpeded fashion, that samemale threaded member would need to be rotated with enough torque todeform itself in order to traverse across second female threadingportion (74) and third female threading portion (80).

Therefore, irregular female threading (64) in not axisymmetric about thelongitudinal axis (LA) of bone screw (130) when bone plate (60) and bonescrew (130) are suitably coupled. In other words, if irregular femalethreading (64) were viewed from within the confines of threaded throughhole (62) at a location along the longitudinal axis (LA) and femalethreading (64) was rotated, the appearance of female threading (64)would not appear unchanged. Irregular female threading (64) may havedeviations in pitch, may have deviations in helix angles, may havedeviations in thread angles, may have deviations in root/crest, and mayhave any other suitable deviations that would leave to deformation ofdeformable locking threaded portion (138) as would be apparent to onehaving ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

A portion of first female threading portion (70) extends along a firstaxis (94), but also includes a non-uniform wave (72), thereby creating asubstantial non-uniform deviation in helix angle. Similarly, a portionof second female threading portion (74) extends along a second axis(96), but also includes a non-uniform wave (76), thereby creating asubstantial non-uniform deviation in helix angle. Likewise, a portion ofthird female threading portion (80) extends along a third axis (98), butalso includes a non-uniform wave (82), thereby creating a substantialnon-uniform deviation in helix angle. First axis (94) and second axis(96) define a first angle (100) while second axis (96) and third axis(98) define a second, different angle (102). Similarly, first femalethreading portion (70) and second female threading portion (74) define afirst pitch (90), while second female threading portion (74) and thirdfemale threading portion (80) define a second, different, pitch (92).First female threading portions (70), second female threading portion(74), and third female threading portion (80) have deviations in threadangles; and may have deviations in root/crest.

Waves (72, 76, 82), change in pitches (90, 92), and change in angles(100, 102) may interact with deformable locking threaded portion (138)such that once deformable locking threaded portion (138) encounters awave (72, 76, 82), change in pitch (90, 92), or change in angle (100,102), the operator must apply enough toque to bone screw (130) aboutlongitudinal axis (LA) in order to deform locking threaded portion (138)of bone screw (130) such that male locking threaded portion (138) mayfurther traverse irregular female threading (64). Once bone screw (130)is fully coupled with bone plate (60), the deformation of deformablemale locking threaded portion (138) may conform to the shape ofirregular female threading (64). In other words, male locking threadedportion (138) will have a complementary threaded profile as irregularfemale threading (64). After being suitably coupled, if for some reasonbone screw (130) attempts to unscrew or otherwise loosen from bone plate(60), the irregular profile of both female threading (64) and malelocking threaded portion (138) will resist rotation of male lockingthreaded portion (138) out of female threading (64) unless the rotationhas enough torque to re-deform or damage male locking threaded portion(138). This resistance to rotation may help prevent bone screws (130)from disassociating with bone plate (60) once suitably coupled with eachother.

In the current example, male locking threaded portion (138) isdeformable, while female threading (64) is irregular. However, this ismerely optional. In another example, male locking threaded portion (138)may be irregular, while female threading (64) may be deformable suchthat insertion of male locking threaded portion (138) deforms femalethreading (64). Of course, both male threading (138) and femalethreading (64) may have irregularities that in turn deform each otherduring coupling. In some variations, irregular female threading (64) mayslightly deform while male threading (138) may not deform at all. Insuch cases, the deforming irregularities of female threading (64) mayprovide interferences with the non-deforming regular male threading(138), thereby effectively locking the threads together through aninterference fit.

In the current example, bone plate (60) is entirely 3D printed whileforming irregular female threading (64). However, this is merelyoptional. For instance, bone plate (60) may start as regular plate withlarger screw holes preformed. Then, irregularities of female threading(64) may be subsequently added via the additive process of 3D printing.OF course, irregularities of female threading (64) may be formedutilizing any other suitably means as would be apparent to one havingordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

FIGS. 7A-7D show an exemplary use of bone screw (130) and bone plate(60). First, the operator may place bone plate (60) at a sufficientlocation relative to bone (10). Next, the operator may align bone screw(130) relative to bone plate (60) such that self-tapping flutes (132)are directly adjacent to threaded through hole (62). Next, as shown inFIG. 7B, the operator may insert self-tapping flutes (132) throughthreaded through hole (62) until self-tapping flutes (132) contact anouter surface of bone (10). Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, the operator maydrive rotation of bone screw (130) about its own longitudinal axis (LA)via a driving mechanism and drive recess (not shown) such thatself-tapping flutes (132) begin to penetrate bone (10). Next, as shownin FIG. 7D the operator may further drive rotation of bone screw (130)about its own longitudinal axis (LA) such that first threaded portion(134) suitably engages bone (10), and such that deformable lockingthreaded portion (138) deforms to the profile of irregular femalethreading (64) in accordance with the description above.

III. EXEMPLARY COMBINATIONS

The following examples relate to various non-exhaustive ways in whichthe teachings herein may be combined or applied. It should be understoodthat the following examples are not intended to restrict the coverage ofany claims that may be presented at any time in this application or insubsequent filings of this application. No disclaimer is intended. Thefollowing examples are being provided for nothing more than merelyillustrative purposes. It is contemplated that the various teachingsherein may be arranged and applied in numerous other ways. It is alsocontemplated that some variations may omit certain features referred toin the below examples. Therefore, none of the aspects or featuresreferred to below should be deemed critical unless otherwise explicitlyindicated as such at a later date by the inventors or by a successor ininterest to the inventors. If any claims are presented in thisapplication or in subsequent filings related to this application thatinclude additional features beyond those referred to below, thoseadditional features shall not be presumed to have been added for anyreason relating to patentability.

Example 1

A bone screw assembly, comprising: (a) a first body, wherein the firstbody comprises: (i) a proximal portion, (ii) a distal portion, whereinthe first body extends from the proximal portion toward the distalportion along a longitudinal axis, wherein the distal portion isconfigured to pierce bone in response to rotation of the first bodyabout the longitudinal axis, and (iii) a first threaded section, whereinthe first threaded section is configured to engage bone; (b) a secondbody, wherein the second body defines a through hole dimensioned toreceive the distal portion of the first body; and (c) a thread lockingassembly configured to couple the first body with the second body,wherein the thread locking assembly comprise locking assembly comprises:(i) a first threaded locking section associated with the proximalportion of the first body, (ii) a second threaded locking sectionassociated with the through hole of the second body, wherein the firstthreaded locking section is configured rotate relative to the secondthreaded locking section in order to mesh with the second thread lockingsection, wherein either the first threaded locking section or the secondthreaded locking section is configured to deform the other in responseto rotation of the first threaded locking section relative to the secondthreaded locking section.

Example 2

The bone screw assembly of Example 1, wherein the second threadedlocking section is configured to deform the first threaded lockingsection in response to rotation of the first threaded locking sectionrelative to the second threaded locking section.

Example 3

The bone screw assembly of Example 2, wherein the second threadedlocking section comprises a non-uniform wave configured to deform thefirst threaded locking section.

Example 4

The bone screw assembly of Example 3, wherein the second threadedlocking section comprises a first helix angle, wherein the non-uniformwave comprises a deviated helix angle.

Example 5

The bone screw assembly of any one or more of Examples 2 through 4,wherein the second threaded locking section comprises a first portionand a second portion continuously connected with each other.

Example 6

The bone screw assembly of Example 5, wherein the first portioncomprises a first pitch, wherein the second portion comprises a secondpitch, wherein the first pitch is different than the second pitch.

Example 7

The bone screw assembly of Example 6, wherein the first portion of thesecond threaded locking section is proximal relative to the secondportion of the second threaded locking section.

Example 8

The bone screw assembly of Example 7, wherein the first threaded lockingsection is configured to traverse the first portion of the secondthreaded locking section without deforming, wherein the first threadedlocking section is configured to traverse the second pitch whiledeforming.

Example 9

The bone screw assembly of any one or more of Examples 5 through 8,wherein the first portion comprises a first helix angle, wherein thesecond portion comprises a second helix angle.

Example 10

The bone screw assembly of Example 9, wherein the first threaded lockingsection is configured to traverse the first portion of the secondthreaded locking section without deforming, wherein the first threadedlocking section is configured to traverse the second pitch whiledeforming.

Example 11

The bone screw assembly of any one or more of Examples 5 through 10,wherein the first portion comprises a first thread angle, wherein thesecond portion comprises a second thread angle, wherein the secondthread angle is different than the first thread angle.

Example 12

The bone screw assembly of any one or more of Examples 5 through 11,wherein the first portion comprises a first crest-root distance, whereinthe second portion comprises a second crest-root distance, wherein thesecond crest-root distance is different than the first crest-rootdistance.

Example 13

The bone screw assembly of any one or more of Examples 1 through 12,wherein the second body comprises a prosthesis.

Example 14

The bone screw assembly of Example 13, wherein the prosthesis comprisesan acetabular component of a hip replacement assembly.

Example 15

The bone screw assembly of any one or more of Examples 1 through 14,wherein the proximal portion of the first body defines a drive recess.

Example 16

The bone screw assembly of any one or more of Examples 1 through 15,wherein the distal portion of the first body comprises a self-tappingflute.

Example 17

The bone screw assembly of any one or more of Examples 1 through 16,wherein the second body comprises a bone plate.

Example 18

A bone screw assembly, comprising: (a) a first body, wherein the firstbody comprises: (i) a proximal portion, (ii) a distal portion, whereinthe first body extends from the proximal portion toward the distalportion along a longitudinal axis, wherein the distal portion isconfigured to pierce bone in response to rotation of the first bodyabout the longitudinal axis, and (iii) a first threaded section, whereinthe first threaded section is configured to engage bone; (b) a secondbody, wherein the second body defines a through hole dimensioned toreceive the distal portion of the first body; and (c) a thread lockingassembly configured to couple the first body with the second body,wherein the thread locking assembly comprise locking assembly comprises:(i) a first threaded locking section associated with the proximalportion of the first body, (ii) a second threaded locking sectionassociated with the through hole of the second body, wherein the firstthreaded locking section is configured rotate relative to the secondthreaded locking section in order to mesh with the second thread lockingsection, wherein the second threaded locking section comprises anirregular female threading, wherein either the first threaded lockingsection is configured to deform the second threaded locking section orthe second threaded locking section is configured to deform the firstthreaded locking section as the first threaded locking section rotatesrelative to the second threaded locking section.

Example 19

The bone screw assembly of Example 18, wherein the irregular femalethreading comprises a wave pattern.

Example 20

A bone screw assembly, comprising: (a) a first body, wherein the firstbody comprises a first threaded section, wherein the first threadedsection is configured to engage bone; (b) a second body, wherein thesecond body defines a through hole dimensioned to receive a portion ofthe first body, wherein the through hole extends along a longitudinalaxis; and (c) a thread locking assembly configured to couple the firstbody with the second body, wherein the thread locking assembly compriselocking assembly comprises: (i) a first threaded locking sectionassociated with the proximal portion of the first body, (ii) a secondthreaded locking section associated with the through hole of the secondbody, wherein the first threaded locking section is configured rotaterelative to the second threaded locking section in order to mesh withthe second thread locking section, wherein the second threaded lockingsection is not axisymmetric about the longitudinal axis.

IV. MISCELLANEOUS

It should also be understood that any one or more of the teachings,expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may becombined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions,embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. Theabove-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc.should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other.Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined willbe readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of theteachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to beincluded within the scope of the claims.

It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or otherdisclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to beincorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to theextent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existingdefinitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in thisdisclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure asexplicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting materialincorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, thatis said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts withexisting definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forthherein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arisesbetween that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention,further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may beaccomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill inthe art without departing from the scope of the present invention.Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and otherswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, theexamples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps,and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required.Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered interms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to thedetails of structure and operation shown and described in thespecification and drawings.

I/We claim:
 1. A bone screw assembly, comprising: (a) a first body,wherein the first body comprises: (i) a proximal portion, (ii) a distalportion, wherein the first body extends from the proximal portion towardthe distal portion along a longitudinal axis, wherein the distal portionis configured to pierce bone in response to rotation of the first bodyabout the longitudinal axis, and (iii) a first threaded section, whereinthe first threaded section is configured to engage bone; (b) a secondbody, wherein the second body defines a through hole dimensioned toreceive the distal portion of the first body; and (c) a thread lockingassembly configured to couple the first body with the second body,wherein the thread locking assembly comprise locking assembly comprises:(i) a first threaded locking section associated with the proximalportion of the first body, (ii) a second threaded locking sectionassociated with the through hole of the second body, wherein the firstthreaded locking section is configured rotate relative to the secondthreaded locking section in order to mesh with the second thread lockingsection, wherein either the first threaded locking section or the secondthreaded locking section is configured to deform the other in responseto rotation of the first threaded locking section relative to the secondthreaded locking section.
 2. The bone screw assembly of claim 1, whereinthe second threaded locking section is configured to deform the firstthreaded locking section in response to rotation of the first threadedlocking section relative to the second threaded locking section.
 3. Thebone screw assembly of claim 2, wherein the second threaded lockingsection comprises a non-uniform wave configured to deform the firstthreaded locking section.
 4. The bone screw assembly of claim 3, whereinthe second threaded locking section comprises a first helix angle,wherein the non-uniform wave comprises a deviated helix angle.
 5. Thebone screw assembly of claim 2, wherein the second threaded lockingsection comprises a first portion and a second portion continuouslyconnected with each other.
 6. The bone screw assembly of claim 5,wherein the first portion comprises a first pitch, wherein the secondportion comprises a second pitch, wherein the first pitch is differentthan the second pitch.
 7. The bone screw assembly of claim 6, whereinthe first portion of the second threaded locking section is proximalrelative to the second portion of the second threaded locking section.8. The bone screw assembly of claim 7, wherein the first threadedlocking section is configured to traverse the first portion of thesecond threaded locking section without deforming, wherein the firstthreaded locking section is configured to traverse the second pitchwhile deforming.
 9. The bone screw assembly of claim 5, wherein thefirst portion comprises a first helix angle, wherein the second portioncomprises a second helix angle.
 10. The bone screw assembly of claim 9,wherein the first threaded locking section is configured to traverse thefirst portion of the second threaded locking section without deforming,wherein the first threaded locking section is configured to traverse thesecond pitch while deforming.
 11. The bone screw assembly of claim 5,wherein the first portion comprises a first thread angle, wherein thesecond portion comprises a second thread angle, wherein the secondthread angle is different than the first thread angle.
 12. The bonescrew assembly of claim 5, wherein the first portion comprises a firstcrest-root distance, wherein the second portion comprises a secondcrest-root distance, wherein the second crest-root distance is differentthan the first crest-root distance.
 13. The bone screw assembly of claim1, wherein the second body comprises a prosthesis.
 14. The bone screwassembly of claim 13, wherein the prosthesis comprises an acetabularcomponent of a hip replacement assembly.
 15. The bone screw assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the proximal portion of the first body defines a driverecess.
 16. The bone screw assembly of claim 1, wherein the distalportion of the first body comprises a self-tapping flute.
 17. The bonescrew assembly of claim 1, wherein the second body comprises a boneplate.
 18. A bone screw assembly, comprising: (a) a first body, whereinthe first body comprises: (i) a proximal portion, (ii) a distal portion,wherein the first body extends from the proximal portion toward thedistal portion along a longitudinal axis, wherein the distal portion isconfigured to pierce bone in response to rotation of the first bodyabout the longitudinal axis, and (iii) a first threaded section, whereinthe first threaded section is configured to engage bone; (b) a secondbody, wherein the second body defines a through hole dimensioned toreceive the distal portion of the first body; and (c) a thread lockingassembly configured to couple the first body with the second body,wherein the thread locking assembly comprise locking assembly comprises:(i) a first threaded locking section associated with the proximalportion of the first body, (ii) a second threaded locking sectionassociated with the through hole of the second body, wherein the firstthreaded locking section is configured rotate relative to the secondthreaded locking section in order to mesh with the second thread lockingsection, wherein the second threaded locking section comprises anirregular female threading, wherein either the first threaded lockingsection is configured to deform the second threaded locking section orthe second threaded locking section is configured to deform the firstthreaded locking section as the first threaded locking section rotatesrelative to the second threaded locking section.
 19. The bone screwassembly of claim 18, wherein the irregular female threading comprises awave pattern.
 20. A bone screw assembly, comprising: (a) a first body,wherein the first body comprises a first threaded section, wherein thefirst threaded section is configured to engage bone; (b) a second body,wherein the second body defines a through hole dimensioned to receive aportion of the first body, wherein the through hole extends along alongitudinal axis; and (c) a thread locking assembly configured tocouple the first body with the second body, wherein the thread lockingassembly comprise locking assembly comprises: (i) a first threadedlocking section associated with the proximal portion of the first body,(ii) a second threaded locking section associated with the through holeof the second body, wherein the first threaded locking section isconfigured rotate relative to the second threaded locking section inorder to mesh with the second thread locking section, wherein the secondthreaded locking section is not axisymmetric about the longitudinalaxis.